Yet despite the failings, Tiplady said applications to join the specialist firearms unit CO19 had been unaffected. “Currently, applications to join CO19 are at a high level. There is no reason for us to believe that the level of applications being received will reduce,” he said.

Since July 2005, Tiplady said the Met had carried out a thorough review of its working practice and implemented several changes in light of the shooting. He vowed the force would continue to assess what lessons could be learned. “The force is now carefully examining the judge’s verdict and our review to assess what impact, if any, this has upon the way we deliver in these circumstances for Londoners,” he added.

Officers applying to work in the high-pressure CO19 unit are volunteers, and fully aware of the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm, Tiplady added.

Met defends PCSO advertising costs

Scotland Yard spent £3,311,164 on advertising and marketing for police community support officers (PCSOs) in 2006-07, official figures have revealed.

The Met said it had recruited 2,500 officers so far, and its campaign would run for another two years, targeting the same number again. This would eventually mean that each PCSO cost £700 in advertising to hire.

A Met spokeswoman insisted the campaign was good value for money, and increasing the numbers of uniformed PCSOs on London’s streets was part of the force’s safer neighbourhoods programme.